Adrián López's brilliant second-half goal sent Atlético Madrid into the Europa League final with victory at Valencia on Thursday night.

The forward thumped a glorious angled shot into the top corner in the 60th minute to end Valencia's hopes of a comeback in the second leg of their semi-final.

The hosts, 4-2 down from the first leg, did everything but score in a one-sided first half as their opponents lived very dangerously but López taught them a lesson in clinical finishing.

Atlético lost their captain, Tiago, to a needless red card late on when he was dismissed following a mass confrontation and he will now miss the final.

Valencia, with work to do to get back in the tie, were quickly on top of their opponents. Sofiane Feghouli's shot took a nick off Jonas on the way through but Thibaut Courtois was alert to parry well and the on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper then reacted to tip Jonas' follow-up round the post.

Roberto Soldado fired over and then glanced a tough headed chance just wide as Valencia continued to carve out openings.

Atlético could barely get out of their own half and were hanging on desperately at times. Antonio Barragán got free on the byline down the right and fired a ball across the face of goal but it was hacked clear.

Jordi Alba threaded an excellent pass inside to Sergio Canales breaking into the left of the area but his angled shot was pushed away by the busy Courtois.

Valencia were almost caught on the break at the other end when Arda Turan got free down the right and crossed for Radamel Falcao, but the goalkeeper Diego Alves just got to the ball before the Colombian.

That was a rare dangerous moment from Atlético, though, and Valencia were soon on the attack again as Soldado narrowly failed to get a touch on Alba's ball in at the near post and Courtois held on.

But for all of their pressure the home side were struggling to find a finishing touch and it was all square at the break.

Valencia continued to press after it but were stunned by a fantastic goal from López.The forward took the ball down on his chest and, from just inside the area on the right, flashed a ferocious effort into the far top corner, leaving Alves no chance.

Needing three to go through, the hosts appeared resigned to their fate and Falcao should have made it two, only to be denied by the keeper.

Atlético lost Tiago to a red card in the 79th minute, the midfielder seemingly dismissed for aiming a slap at Soldado during a mass confrontation which followed a Valencia penalty claim.

The hosts had appealed for a handball against Tiago when he went up for a header in the area with Ricardo Costa but the referee, after initially appearing to point to the spot, chose not to give a penalty. Replays proved him correct, showing the ball had struck Costa's hand rather than Tiago's.

There was not enough time for Valencia to capitalise on their extra man and Atlético kept them out to set up a final meeting with another Spanish side, Athletic Bilbao.